Reese Witherspoon welled up, paying heartfelt tribute to Diane Keaton

Reese Witherspoon pays tribute to Diane Keaton as one of the most beloved and empowering mentors in Hollywood.

On Saturday, October 11, following the death of the Oscar-winning actress in California, Witherspoon reflected on some of her cherished memories with Keaton during her appearance at her company Hello Sunshine’s Shine Away event.

“I was 15 years old, and I was from Nashville, Tenn., and I didn’t know anybody,” Witherspoon said during a discussion with author Harlan Coben about their upcoming novel, Gone Before Goodbye.

The event took place just hours after news of Keaton’s death made headlines. Witherspoon recalled starring in the 1991 film Wildflower, which was directed by Keaton.

“I auditioned for her, and she looked at me after,” she recalled. “I came in with this big country accent, and I was playing this little southern girl, and she goes, ‘Who are you?’”

The Morning Show star continued, “I said, ‘I’m Reese Witherspoon, and I’m from Nashville, Tenn.’ And she said, ‘Are you making that up? That accent you’re doing?’ And I said, ‘No, ma’am. I’m from Nashville, Tenn., and I’m here, and I’d love to be in your movie.’ And she was like, ‘Well, you’re hired. You’re hired today, tomorrow, and the next day. I don’t know who you are, but I am so excited to have you.’”

Witherspoon appeared in Wildflower alongside Patricia Arquette, Beau Bridges, William McNamara, and Susan Blakely. 

Reflecting on the experience, she shared that Keaton’s support during filming made her consider it “one of the most important summers” of her childhood.

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